Geneva: The Permanent Mission of the State of Qatar to the United Nations Office and other international organizations in Geneva participated in a high-level panel discussion on Thursday. This event marked the 60th anniversary of the two International Covenants on Human Rights and was part of the 63rd session of the Human Rights Council under Agenda Item Three.
According to Qatar News Agency, Deputy Permanent Representative Abdulrahman Mohammed Fakhroo delivered a statement on behalf of the State of Qatar. He emphasized that the adoption of the two International Covenants on Human Rights six decades ago was a pivotal moment in the history of human rights, transforming foundational principles laid out by the Universal Declaration of Human Rights into binding legal standards for States Parties.
Fakhroo highlighted that the two International Covenants remain integral to international human rights efforts, addressing current global challenges. He noted that Qatar considers these covenants essential for bolstering the human rights framework. Since Qatar's accession to the covenants in 2018, the country has implemented their provisions strategically, integrating them into its national legal system, raising awareness about their principles, and submitting periodic reports to relevant treaty bodies, demonstrating its commitment to fulfilling international obligations.
The Deputy Permanent Representative also underscored that effectively implementing the two covenants involves recognizing the interdependent and mutually reinforcing nature of the rights they enshrine. He called for consideration of national, cultural, and religious specificities, and the use of experiences and best practices to uphold the universality of human rights.